Turkish Visa Application

To apply for a visa to enter Turkey, you will need to complete some procedures. You should make sure you complete all of them correctly, in the given order. If you mistake even a thing, your application may be rejected, which can also affect any future applications.

Before you start taking concrete steps, you should first find out a few things, regarding the Turkey visa application in your home country. First, ask yourself if you need a visa at all. If you do, then continue reading this article for more information.

Check what type of Turkish visa you need to apply for.

Find out when is the right time to apply.

Check where to submit your Turkey visa application.

Collect the required documents.

Submit the application

Wait for processing

Check what type of Turkish visa you need to apply for

There are a few Turkish Visa types, for which you can apply. The main thing that you need to know is whether you can apply for an e-visa or a sticker visa.

Note that according to the purpose of traveling to Turkey you will need to select one of the following main Turkish visa types:

TurkishTourist/Business Visa. You can apply for this visa if the main purpose of your trip to Turkey is transit, touristic visit, business meeting/commerce, conference/seminar/meeting, festival/fair/exhibition, sportive activity, cultural-artistic activity, official visit, or visit to the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.

Turkish Education Visa. You can apply for this visa if the main purpose of the application is for doing an internship, attending a course or other educational purposes, in Turkey or the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.

Turkey Work Visa. You can apply for this visa if the main purpose of your trip to Turkey is employment, or you are an assigned academic, sportsperson, artist, free zone worker, journalist to Turkey or for montage and repairman purposes.

Other Visas. You may as well apply for other visas that do not fall under the ones listed above, as: archaeological excavation, exploration purpose, documentary purpose, tour operator representative, medical treatment purposes, accompaniment purpose, family unification purpose, freight visa, or seafarer visa.

Find out when is the right time to apply

Turkish authorities recommend that you should lodge your application for a Turkish sticker visa at least one month prior to your trip. Thus, you will be able to avoid inconveniences that may be caused by delays in application processing.

Yet the earliest that you can lodge an application, is 60 days before your intended departure to Turkey.

Check where to submit your Turkey visa application

You will need to lodge your application file for a Turkish visa at the Turkish embassy or consulate in your country of residence. In some countries, you may have to submit your application at a third-party visa processing center, to which Turkey has outsourced visa submission.

Yet, the Turkish embassies and consulates are the sole authorities responsible for processing in every world country.

Following, find the application process to apply for a Turkish visa clearly explained.

Apply for a Turkish Sticker Visa

To apply for a Turkish Sticker Visa you should first complete the online form, which contains a few questions on your identity, nationality, and purpose of visit. If you do not need a visa to Turkey, or you are eligible for an e-visa, the system will tell you, as soon as you give this information.

If not, you will be required to give some additional information. The system will also tell you what type of documents you need to apply for that particular type of visa for entry in Turkey.

You will also be given with a date and time, for your visa interview.

On the day of your interview, you should show up at the Turkish embassy or consulate in your country of residence. Make sure you have all the required documents with you. You will attend a short interview with a consular officer, who will ask you a few questions regarding your trip.

According to the visa type you are applying for, and sometimes your nationality, you will need to submit additional documents.

Turkey Visa Application Processing

The processing of a Turkey visa application depends on the country from where you are applying. While in some countries you can get an answer within three days, in others the average may be about 15 working days.

When applying for a work visa, the processing of your application may last for 25 working days.

You can track the status of your application at the same website from where you started your application.

Applying for a Turkish e-Visa

On the other hand, if you need a Turkish eVisa, the application process is way shorter and easier. You need to complete the following steps to get an eVisa for Turkey.

Check your email. Within minutes, you must receive an email asking you to confirm that you have started an application for an eVisa. If you do not find this email in your inbox, you probably have received it in your spam folder. Click the link you have received, which will take you back to the eVisa application website.

Pay the fee. You will then need to pay the fee for an eVisa application online at the eVisa application website. Once you pay the fee, the web will tell you that you will receive an email with the eVisa.

Download your e–Visa. You will again receive an email. This will not be the eVisa but rather a button that will take you again to the same website, where you will have to download your eVisa.

Print your e–visa. The Turkish authorities want you to present your e-visa in a printed form. Showing the border authorities a version of your e-visa in your phone or other gadgets is not acceptable. The e-visa must be printed.

How Much Does it Cost to Apply for a Turkish Visa?

You will need to pay a particular Turkish visa fee when you lodge your application. The fees for a Turkey sticker visa and an e-visa are different.

Depending on your nationality, the Turkish e-visa fees range from €14 to €71.

On the other hand, the Turkish visa fees for sticker visas start at €117 the lowest, to €180 the highest, for most nationalities. Yet, citizens of some other countries, as the UAE may have to pay higher visas, up to €465.

Turkish Visa Validity

With a Turkish visa, you can stay in Turkey for up to 90 days within six months. Note that depending on your nationality you will be permitted to remain in Turkey for:

Up to 30 days within six months

Up to 60 days within six months

Up to 90 days within six months

Up to 60 days per visit, 90 days within six months

Up to 30 days per visit, 90 days within six months

Note that the validity of a visa is the same for e-visa holders and sticker visa holders.

After You Arrive in Turkey

If you are in Turkey with the intention of working or studying, then you should register at the nearest local police department upon arrival in Turkey.

Note that is you want to stay in Turkey for more than 90 days, you should apply for a residence permit at the Provincial Directorate of Migration Administration. Those in Turkey with a tourism or commercial visa cannot apply for a residence permit.

What Documents Do I Need to Present at the Turkish Port of Entry?

When you show up at the Turkish port of entry, you will need to present some documents, in order to prove your eligibility to enter.

If due to your nationality, you fall under the Turkish visa regime you will need to present the following:

Your valid passport

Your e-visa or sticker visa, as applicable.

Note that the nationals of the following countries can enter Turkey with only their IDs:

Germany

Belgium

France

Georgia

The Netherlands

Spain

Switzerland

Italy

Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus

Liechtenstein

Luxembourg

Malta

Portugal

Greece

Note that the nationals of Germany, Belgium, France, Spain, Switzerland, Luxembourg, and Portugal can enter Turkey with a passport that has expired in the last five years, as well.

UK Citizens

Turkey Visa FAQ

How long should my passport be valid to be eligible for Turkey visa application?

According to Turkish laws, travelers wishing to enter Turkey must carry a passport with an expiration date at least 60 days beyond the “duration of stay” of their visa, e-Visa, visa exemption, or residence permit.

Can I visit Turkey with a Schengen Visa?

You can enter Turkey with a Schengen visa under several conditions:

You must be a national of one of the 63 world countries and territories eligible to apply for an e-visa for tourism and business.

You must be traveling to Turkey with an airline that has protocols with the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs

You must have a hotel reservation and the required financial means.

Can I visit Turkey with a US Visa?

You can enter Turkey with a US visa under several conditions, which are the same as listed above for entering Turkey with a Schengen Visa.

Do I need to enter Turkey on the exact date specified in my application?

No, you do not since the validity period of your e-Visa begins from the date specified in your application. You are permitted to enter Turkey on any date you want within this period.

Can I get an e-visa for work and study?

No, you will need a Turkish sticker visa to study or work in Turkey. Turkish e-visas are only for tourism and commercial purposes.

What is the latest I can apply for an e-Visa?

The latest you can apply for an e-Visa is 48 hours before your trip. On the other hand, you are permitted to apply as early as three months in advance, at most.

Can I fill-in the e-visa form in another language

In addition to English, French, and Spanish, the following options will be added to the e-Visa system soon: Dutch, Norwegian, Polish, German, Arabic, and Chinese language.

Can I get a refund if I do not use my Turkish visa?

No, the Turkish authorities do not refund payments for unused Turkish sticker visas or e-Visas.

May I apply for a new e-Visa while I am in Turkey?

If you are in Tukey and your e-Visa is about to expire, you will not be permitted to apply for an e-Visa within Turkey, without first leaving the country.

Yet, you can apply for a residence permit at the Provincial Directorate of Migration Management, if you meet the criteria for one.

What happens if I overstay my Turkish Visa?

If you overstay your Turkish visa, you may be fined, deported or banned from entering Turkey in the future for a specific period.

What is a ‘UK Special Passports’ in the Turkish e-Visa system?

A UK Special passport means a British passport marked as British Overseas Citizen, British Protected Person or British Subject. Holders of these types of British passports will need to apply for a sticker visa before traveling to Turkey.